Page 162 - frankenstein

‘‘May I know the names and residence of those friends?’ ‘I
paused. This, I thought, was the moment of decision, which
was to rob me of or bestow happiness on me forever. I strug-
gled vainly for firmness sufficient to answer him, but the
effort destroyed all my remaining strength; I sank on the
chair and sobbed aloud. At that moment I heard the steps of
my younger protectors. I had not a moment to lose, but seiz-
ing the hand of the old man, I cried, ‘Now is the time! Save
and protect me! You and your family are the friends whom
I seek. Do not you desert me in the hour of trial!’
‘‘Great God!’ exclaimed the old man. ‘Who are you?’
‘At that instant the cottage door was opened, and Felix,
Safie, and Agatha entered. Who can describe their horror
and consternation on beholding me? Agatha fainted, and
Safie, unable to attend to her friend, rushed out of the cot-
tage. Felix darted forward, and with supernatural force tore
me from his father, to whose knees I clung, in a transport of
fury, he dashed me to the ground and struck me violently
with a stick. I could have torn him limb from limb, as the
lion rends the antelope. But my heart sank within me as
with bitter sickness, and I refrained. I saw him on the point
of repeating his blow, when, overcome by pain and anguish,
I quitted the cottage, and in the general tumult escaped un-
perceived to my hovel.’

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